Thomas Hesse

We are giving the mediation process with Safeway a fair chance to work.

But, admittedly, it’s hard to be optimistic.

Not only has Sobeys failed to present an offer with improved wages and benefits, but they are also continuing to proceed to the Supreme Court of Canada to strip away most of the wage increase that your union won for you.

We must make every reasonable effort to conclude a new contract to avoid a strike. But if you don’t even threaten not to come to work, why would Sobeys offer you more?

The biggest leverage you have as workers is withdrawing your labour until you get the deal you deserve. By summer’s end, the most realistic outcome is one that includes you taking a strike vote.

Stand up for yourself, your family, and your coworkers. If there is a strike vote, say yes!

After we found ourselves in a very unusual situation at Sofina Calgary, with a vote on the company offer that didn’t reveal a clear and proper result, we continue to believe that there has been interference by management.

We asked our members at the plant if they wanted a second “without prejudice” vote away from the plant and the eyes of Sofina bosses. We also asked for their comments on the situation.

A significant number of responding members said they want a new vote. Some of them say they simply want a clear majority, whichever way the vote goes.

Some felt that the company acted improperly in trying to implement the offer in a very grey, unclear situation, and without bothering to consult the union.

Quite a few also said that they do, in fact, believe that pressure from management contributed to the unreliable vote result.

As our lawyers continue to review this matter, we have scheduled a new "without prejudice" vote to help us better understand what Sofina Calgary employees truly want as we move forward: https://shorturl.at/DeXIX